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Eureka City Schools Will Be Closed Today Due to Norovirus Outbreak

This is a press release from the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services:

An increase in student absenteeism believed to be related to a norovirus outbreak has prompted Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Donald Baird to recommend the closure of the 10 schools in the Eureka City Schools District.

Baird’s recommendation comes on the heels of increasing numbers of children reported to have symptoms consistent with the highly contagious virus, which forced closure of three schools last week.

Absenteeism rates at all Eureka City schools have climbed since Tuesday, with rates ranging from 13 percent at Washington to 32 percent at Zoe Barnum.

“Public Health had set 20 percent absenteeism as a trigger point for closure,” Baird said, “but given the broad distribution of the virus we think the prudent course of action is to close all 10 schools.”

As of yesterday, no schools in the Eureka City district had reached the 20 percent threshold.

There is no cure for norovirus, which generally passes on its own within a few days. The CDC notes that it cannot be treated with antibiotics, because it is a viral, rather than bacterial, infection. Drinking lots of fluids is recommended to replace those lost during the course of illness.

Symptoms include nausea, fever, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea.

Hand washing is the best defense. Wash hands frequently throughout the day with soap and water. Hand sanitizing gels and wipes are ineffective against the virus. Clean contaminated surfaces thoroughly with a strong disinfectant such as bleach.

An outbreak in Yolo County earlier this year sickened an estimated 4,000 people, and despite exhaustive decontamination efforts resulted in the closure of several schools. The illness spread from Woodland to schools in West Sacramento, Winters, Esparto and Davis, including U.C. Davis.

and stay at home! the entire family! isolate yourself and do some good for the community! there are people with impaired immune systems, the elderly and infants that don’t need this! so what if you are missing holiday fun, its better than damn near killing someone because you are so selfish!

What about Fortuna, Rio Dell and Ferndale, How many cases of this highly contagious virus are at these schools? My friend’s child goes to Ferndale elementary and her child has it for sure ,was diagnosed by the doctor with it today, I also overheard some people talking in the walgreen’s pharmacy today that Rio Dell school had 2 more documented cases today. I’m personally keeping my 3 children home from school here in fortuna. I really think all the schools in this area should close until this virus is eradicated, doesn’t this only make sense people.